Vehicle drawbar



March 15, 1932. L. E. wiLu Ms 1,849,260

VEHICLE! DRAWBAR Filed Dec. 29, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jef@f.'% ZZ Jams.

zls 7552 0212503 L. E. WILLIAMS 1,849,260

VEHICLE DRAWBAR Filed Dec. 29, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 15, 1932.

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ments 1 'pling bar of a Patented Mar. 15, 1932 UNITED. STATES PATENTOFFICE LEROY E. WILLIAMS, 0]? EDGEBTON, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR T0 HIGHWAYTRAILER I COMPANY, OF EDGERTON, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATIO OF WISCONSINVEHICLE DRAWBAB Application filed December 29, 1928. Serial No. 329,164.r

This invention relates to certain improveof the trailer type, and isparticularly concerned with the provision of an improved coupler forconnecting the draw bar of the trailer to a draft vehicle, such as, amotor truck, tractor, etc. An object of the invention is to provide acoupler with detachably removable side plates or checks to permitreplacement when the same become damaged or worn. Another object is toprovide means for adjusting the side plates with respect to each otherto take up excessive side play, such as may result by wear or bending ofthe plates, to insure roper fit of the coupling bar of the draftveiiicle, thus obviating weaving of the vehicles with respect to eachother when connected in a train) caused by a loose t of these members. Afurther object is to provide an automatic detent for locking thecoupling in or out of operative position. still further object is toprovidean improved king pin mounting for the draw bar. The inventionconsists in certain features and elements of construction herein shownand described, as indicated by the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of one end of a vehicleembodying this invention.

Figure, 2 is an enlarged side view of the coupler proper, shownconnected to a condraft vehicle. Figure 3 is a view looking into thecoupler.

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken as indicated at the line 4-4 onFigure 2.

Figure '5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the center member of thecoupler.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse section takensubstantially as indicated at the line 6-6 on Figure 2. v

Figure 7 is a detail view of a shim plate.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary transverse section taken at the line 88 onFigure 1, certain parts being broken away to show details ofconstruction.

Figure 9 is a view similar t9 Figure 4, showing a modified form ofdetent.

As illustrated in the drawings, the draw 11 draw bar construction forvehicles erally at 13.

- chains (not shown).

bar is composed of two channel members, 11, 11, secured together inspaced relation with their flanges extending toward each other forming ahollow housing in the forward end of which isslidably mounted thesupporting shank, 12, of the coupler head, indicated gen- The shank isconnected in the housing to shock-absorbing means of a usualconstruction for cushioning the impact in transmitting the push or pullfrom the coupler to the draw bar. The coupler head consists of acentermember, integral with the shank, 12, having two oppositelydiverging portions, 14, forming upper and lower walls of the coupler,and a pair of transversely spaced, adjustably removable side walls orchecks, 15, secured to said central member by four suitably spaced tiebolts, 16, extending through the walls, 14. The side walls are spaced toaccommodate the coupling link or draft member, a motor truck, tractor,etc., the link being limited in vertical play by the diverging walls,14. The forward edge of the side walls is curved, and is reinforced by alaterally extending flange, 18, and further stifl'ening or reinforcementis provided by ribs, 19, which merge into annular bosses, 20, which areapertured to provide journal support transversely extending; couplingpin, 21.

The diverging walls, 14, of the center member are connected at each sideby webs, 24, which are integrally formed with inwardly extending arcuateflanges, 25, preferably concentric with the apertures of the bosses.These flanges assist in guiding the end of the coupling link in properposition for registration of its eye with the apertures of the sidewalls forengagement by the coupling) pin. The lower wall, 14, of thecenter mem er is provided with a centrally located depending lug, 26,for supporting the usual safety In Figures 4 and 6, it will be seen thateither or both of the side walls-may be adjusted for varying thedistance between them.

The adjustment for one of the side walls is accomplished by the removalof one or more of a plurality of shims, -27, interposed between the sidewall and the diverging walls for a 17 of a draft vehicle such as of thecenter member. These shims of course may be made of various thicknessesto permit of minute adjustment. However, close adand through which plugsthe tie bolts, 16, ex-

tend. The reduced end of the plugs form out wardly facing shoulders, 30,against which the side wall abuts to maintain the same at properadjusted position with respect to the center member. Thus, to adjustthis side wall with respect to the other merely requires threading theplugs, 29, inwardl or outwardly, to suit the condition. t will of coursebe understood that the'coupler head may be constructed to provideadjustment of both the side walls by either shims, or by the threadedscrew plugs.

In the course of use, the side walls of a coupler are frequently bentoutwardly, thus resulting in undesired lateral play of the coupling linkwhich imposes undue strain on both the trailer and draft vehiclesbecause of the weaving or snaking action that is set up in the trailervehicle. This excess play may at least be partially remedied by adjusting the side walls accordingly. Of course, if the side walls are bentto cause an aggravated condition which cannot be alleviated byadjustment of the side walls, then either or both side walls may bereplaced. Inasmuch as it is preferable to have minimum play between thecoupling link and side walls, there will be a certain amount of wear ofthese parts, which may after a time also cause weaving of the vehicles,and accordingly this excess play may be taken up by the adjustment oftheside walls. Due to the side walls being separable, independent members,their inner faces may be machined to reduce the friction and wearincident to contact with the coupling link. For. purposes ofillustration, and as shown in the drawings, it may be understood thatthe shims areof a thickness to permit rough adjustment of the sidewalls,

the screw plugs of the other wall afl'ording ne or minute adjustment,thus insuring a proper fit of the couplinglink or draft 'member, Thisconstruction prolongs thelife of a coupler, and effects economy in thatthe entire coupler need not be discarded when the side walls becomedefective by injury or wear.

To permit manipulation of the coupling pin, 21, to engage or release thedraft member, a handle, 21, is formed at one end. The side wall, 15,adjacent the handle end of the pin is provided with an automatic detenthoused in an upwardly extending boss, 33, having an aperture, 34, inline with the vertical axis of the coupling pin. Said detent comprises aplunger, 35, and a stem, 36,011

which is mounted a spring, 37, for yieldingly forcing said plunger in adownward direction. A screw plug, 39, is threaded in the upper end ofthe boss, 33, for adjusting the spring to proper tension, and alsoserving to complete the enclosure of the detent. The lower end of theplunger is cone-sha ed and is adapted to co-operate with a -shapedgroove 21", formed in the periphery of the coupling pin for locking thesame in coupling position. Thus, by axially moving the couplingpin'through the bosses of the side walls, the plunger is automaticallymoved into or out of co-operative engagement with the groove. A secondV-groove, 21, is provided in the end of the coupling pin opposite thehandle end, so that when the pin is axially moved to free the draftmember, 17, the plunger will yieldingly engage-in this groove, 21, formovably securing the pin in the coupler head, in inoperative position;thus insuring against misplacement of the pin.

Figure 9 illustrates a modified detent of the gravity type,in which agravity operated plunger, 35 is formed at its lower end for straddlingeither of'the grooved portions,

21 or 21, of the coupling pin, 21". The outer I end of the coupling pinis provided with a handle, 21, for axially shifting said pin with one ofits grooves in registration with the plunger, for releasing or securingthe draft member, 17 in the coupling.- The plunger has astem, 35extending upwardly through the top of the boss, 33, and provided with afinger grip, 35, by means of which it may be above the axle, 41; theforward end of the.

draw bar being guided and supported between the fro'nttie member, 42,,ofthe frame, and the front cross member, 43. The king pin comprises alower cast member, 44, secured to the top of the draw bar, having anupwardly extending annular flange, 45, adapted to be interfitted intelescopic relation with a downwardly open annular chamber, 46, formedin the upper king pin mem.- ber, 47 which is integral with a crossbrace, 48, the ends of which are arranged for securement to the beamside members, 49, of the vehicle frame. The king pin members are heldagainst vertical separation by a concentrically disposed bolt, 50,extending downwardly throughthe draw bar. Filler blocks, 51, are mountedon the inner sides of the draw bar channel members to providereinforcement and also to journal the bolt, lhus, the lateral thrust dueto push or pull on the draw bar is transmitted to the inter-' fittingking pin members and is distributed over a'relatively large bearingarea, relieving the bolt, 50, of all strain except againstverticalseparation of the arts. This construction also tends to stailize the vehicle in its steering movement.

1.- The combination of a draft member and a coupling 'headcomprising acentral supporting member and a pair of spaced side walls, one of saidwalls being removably secured to said support, removable shimsassociated with the removable side wall for varying the distance betweensaid walls, together with means for securing the draft member in thehead in coupled relation be- I tween said side walls.

'2. The combination of a draft member and a coupling head comprising acentral su porting member and a air of transverse y spaced walls, one ofwhich is removab ly secured to the supporting member, meansfifor varyingthe distance between the walls including one or more plugs-asociatedwith the removable wall, adjustably threaded in said central member,together with means for securing the draft member in coupled relation inthe head between said side walls.

3, In the combination defined in claim 2, said plugs each having areduced end forming an outwardl facing shoulder adapted to abut againstt e innersurface of the side wall. a

A. The-combination-of a draft member an a coupling head comprising .acentral su the end of said frame, a draw bar supported by the frame andconnected to-the brace,mterfitti'ng members carried by the brace anddraw bar one of said members includin an annular ange adapted to betelescope in an annular chamber formed in the other member to providelateral guidance during steering movement, and a bolt extending throughthe interfitting members and the draw bar to prevent vertical separationof the parts.

7'. The combination of a draft member and a coupling head comprising acentral supporting member and a pair of transverse spaced walls withmeans adjustablysecurin one of said walls to the central member anadapted for rigidlyholdin said wall at any position in its rangecurately varying-t e distance between said spaced walls, and means forsecuring the draft member in coupled relation in the head between saidwalls.

LEROY E. WILLIAMS.

of a justment for acporting member and a pair of spaced si e i wallsremovably secured to said supporting member, means for varying thedistance between said walls including removable shims interposed betweenone of said wallsand the v supporting member and one or more pluassociated with the other wall 'adiustab y threaded in said supportingmember, together 50 with means for securing the d member. in the headbetween said side walls.;

5; In combination with a vehicle crow brace disposed inwardly from'theend of the frame, a draw bar pivotally connected to said brace, saidconnection consisting of means for preventin vertical separation of.

said draw bar and race and cooperating interfitting members carriedrigidly b sai y brace and draw bar respective y adapted C9 take thethrust of the drawbar in pulling-the vehicle independently-of theaforesaid means and for providing guidance in steering movement.

6. In combination with a vehicle frame, a

' cross brace disposed inwardly a distance from

